They Died With Their Boots On

If you are a Flynn collector, this is a must have as he plays Custer and Anthony Quinn is Geronimo. While historically inaccurate, it is nonetheless entertaining. Lots of action and even humor. If there is a crticism, it is long-2 1/2 hours.

Gift for husband and he keeps watching it over and over. Arrived on time and my husband loves this classic. Would highly recommend this to any old movie buffs. Great for your classic collection.

Excellent movie, Errol Flynn is great as General Custer, and with a romantic touch. I recommend it.

When filmmakers decide to take actual events to place them on the screen, they face the difficult decision of to what extant they will tinker with the truth to score some dramatic points. In the case of THEY DIED WITH THEIR BOOTS ON, the producers totally abandoned any semblance of truth to present a vision of the life and death of General George Armstrong Custer that was then fully resonant with the burgeoning militarism of 1941 Hollywood. I know that it is difficult for current moviegoers to possibly envision an artistic elite that supports and glorifies traditional American values, but back in pre-Pearl Harbor days, political correctness meant flag waving, not flag burning. What Hollywood wanted was a flashy dashing hero who could be both charming and heroic at the same time. In Errol Flynn, America could see a distorted version of the egotistical and megalomaniacal glory hunter that Custer truly was, but Flynns interpretation played down that part of him and emphasized an altruistic side that is so breathtaking in its centrality to Custers film persona, that movie audiences could see in Flynn-Custer a hearkening back to the frontier hero that America was to need to buttress itself for the looming war. Director Raoul Walsh essentially films a vastly entertaining war cartoon that allows Flynn to pair with Olivia DeHavilland to maintain a love interest that forms the background for the many action scenes. And what action scenes there are. Flynn is seen attacking Confederate positions in cavalry charges with more than a little tongue in cheek. But in the second half, the mood and tempo change when Flynn takes his militancy out west to fight Indians. The smiling Flynn of the Civil War becomes the serious Flynn of the Far West. As Custer, Flynn is prepared to sacrifice his entire 7th Cavalry to save the greater body of troops of his commander, General Terry. The climactic massacre at the Battle of the Little Big Horn shows a more megalomaniacal side to Custer than what Director Walsh probably intended. In the hours preceeding the battle, Flynns facial expression and voice well indicate a man who is stoically resigned to die merely for a higher cause. When the films villain, played by Arthur Kennedy, asks him why he is doing this, Custer replies: For glory or to hell. It depends on your perspective. My perspective was that Custer chose both at the same time. It is this odd pairing of wildly divergent viewpoints that make this gross distortion of history an entertaining film--even if I had to wonder whether Custer cared a hoot about the 198 troopers under his command.

Most movies about history contain inaccuracies, some more than others. They Died With Their Boots On may have some value as entertainment, but when it comes to historical inaccuracy, this one really scrapes the proverbial bottom of the barrel. It came on TCM yesterday and I watched about an hour of it. It was so twisted I could hardly stomach it. Did the writers of this screenplay not do any research at all?

General Custer (a fine looking Errol Flynn) is portrayed as a rogue at West Point (the highest number of demerits) yet he is acknowledged as a very fine horseman and swordsman (useful attributes in the US army at that time; just before the outbreak of the American civil war. There is a poignant scene when the cadet gentlemen of The South decline to swear allegiance to the Union and are dismissed with honour (obviously to participate in the carnage to come). Custer goes on to portray exceptional courage (in leading the charges of the Michigan battalions - three times), on the strength of an accidental promotion. The down-side takes hold with the end of the war and his being removed from the `active list. He is given a life-line when posted to the Dakotas to honour a treaty with Crazy Horse (played with quiet dignity by Anthony Quinn). As Warner Brothers did so well (irrespective of historical accuracy - as was the case with The Charge of the Light Brigade, in India, rather than the Crimea!), the climax was at the battle of the Little Big Horn. The various charges are stunning. The high cameras capture the Indians free-flowing tactics, to their deadly effect. The end, we all know about.

Good story, we enjoyed the story and the actors!

The whole story is so ridiculous and inaccurate that it’s painful to watch

great price, also loved the movie.

I just viewed the beautiful colorized version of this rousing version which features the famed Little Bighorn battle and its grand entertainment. Flynn is flamboyant as all-get-out as Custer and the fine vignettes during the episodic elements build up to the exciting Last Stand climax. Olivia is fetching as Elizabeth and Grapewins a hoot as California Joe. The first half is romantic comedy while the second leads to inevitable tragic outcome, yet its all expertly mounted (although historically inaccurate) and played in the best old Hollywood style. Steiner score is great; this was the last teaming of DeHavilland and Flynn.